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kern first
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for Mans
As far as it is known, the
very first Christmas carol
composed in America was
written for an Indian tribe
by their missionary priest.
The priest, Father Jean de
Brebeuf, was born in
France in 1593 and came
to the New World in 1626
to spread the Gospel of
Jesus.
Preaching Christianity to
the Huron Indians. Father
Brebeuf sought to convey
the meaning of Christmas
to his parishioners by com
posing a carol that the In
dians could sing in their
own language. The priest
selected a popular 16th
century folk song from
France, "Une Jeune Pu
eeile", for his tune and
wrote new words for the
Indian worshipers.
The French priest had
been very impressed by the
Hurons and their compre
hension of the Nativity. In
his writings, he describes
how the Hurons had built
a small chapel of cedar and
fir branches to house the
manger of the Christ Child,
and how they prepared
themselves to receive the
Infant Jesus into their
hearts on Christmas Day
by performing some sort of
penance. He wrote, "Even
those who were at a dis
tance of more than 2 days'
journey met at a given
place to sing hymns in hon
or of the newborn Child."
Father Brebeuf wrote the
lyrics to his carol in 1641;
on March 16, 1649, he was
martyred by the Iroquois,
along with other prisoners.
A Christmas Poem
The young mother ( so
very young!)
Smiles softly to behold Him
And takes a ragged
swaddling cloth
To tenderly enfold Him
His infant eyes gaze upon
A world of strife and sorrow
Does He see now the silent
tree
Awaiting some tomorrow?
But loving fingers take
His hand
With playfulness.
caressing;
He stretches infant arms to
her.
As if in some new blessing
The mother laughs with
sweet delight
At this endearing game
And speaks it for the
first time:
His wondrous, holy Name.
In Sweden the Yultomtcn
is their gnome of Christ
mas. also known as Xissc.
He is an elf or sprite.
Mrs. Roy Conoly
111 Prospect
Ma? the joy and peAce
OF CbRiSTMAS ue wiTb
?you TOD Ay AND ALWAYS
W.L. Poole Agency
PiM ON EARTH
May glad tidings sound forth this Holy Season, renewing
the hope and joy of that most wonderous night, bringing
good will and harmony to all men everywhere.
Jttanufadurtn of Quality (plattk thread
Hope the Holidays "Suit You
/?
Best wishes for a very merry
Christmas season from the people down at
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WE PRAY THAT
PEACE BE WITH YOU
May that pence that passes understanding the peace
of Jesus Christ, our Lord come into every heart
this Christmas We wish you and yours the very best1
Southeast Production Credit Association
HARRIS AVE.